Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1887-12-28
CHRISTMAS CRIMES.

eyes, it was Them" said the boy, and went
with his story again; Mrs Todd was Meals and
Hetty's mother-they hadn't any father; he died
three years ago-and Puppy their dog. Mrs.
Todd is one of the best mothers that lived and
she sews buttonholes in boys jackets for big store;
and Hetty cleans up the house. and gets supper and
such things and II mean Neal-runs errands for
folks when he can get chance after school His
mother wants him to go to school till he's fourteen
anyhow cause boy that has education can
get along better than boy that don't know any
thing And this family, though they very
poor, had always managed to have turkey dinner
till the Christmas Pm telling about and Mrs. Todd
she loved turkey"
Didn't Hetty and Neal?" asked Mr.. Golong,
closing his eyes and wrnkling his again; and he
hurried away to wait a stout lady, all covered
with glittering jet ornaments and bugles who must
have been very particular customer, she talked
loud and SO much
Didn't Hetty and Neal?" he repeated when he
came back.
"Oh my! guess they did!'' said the girl, her
eyes sparkling.
"They'd "a been funny fellows if they didn't"
added the boy, "but 'pon their words and honor,
they wanted it more for their mother-she's such
good mother and has so few good things to eat
than they did for themselves. And it made them
feel awful bad when she came home and cried cause
some wicked thief had stolen her pocketbOok with
half weeks earnings in it, and the two dollar bill
that her boss had given her to buy Christmas din
ner besides And so the boy Neal-he's kind of
nice chap, amt he Hetty?"
awful nice,'' replied Hetty, with mischievous
little gggle.
"And he said to his sister she's awful nice, amt
she, Hetty?"
''Kind of NICE" said Hetty, with another little
giggle.
''He says to his sister," continued the boy, "dont
say anything to mother, but put on your hat, and
bring basket, and We'll make try for merry
Christmas dinner-t turkey and all. And they went
round the corner to beautiful market kept by
gentleman who looked exactly like Santa Claus"
Mr.. Onosander Golong laughed aloud this time,
and flew to wait on another particular customer.
$50 he looked like Santa Claus?' he said, with
chuckle when he sat down the barrel of potatoes
again.
"The very image of him." said the girl, with
great emphasis
"The boy" began the boy once more, chad run
errands for him two three times, and each time
had got two apples or oranges besides the pay
and he was good to cats and dogs So this chap went
to this gentleman-he took his sister along cause he
thought Mr.. Golong would like to see her-and they
told him their story And the boy says, when it
was done, If you would only trust us for turk
mean, turkey, and few other things I'll work
for you all holiday week, and another week, too,
after school, My names Neal Todd, and my mother
is real nice woman, and love herjust you used
to love your mother when you was little boy
And the gentleman, says he Being it's Christmas
time and look much like Santa Claus Pll do it.
And he did. And that's ALL
Mr.. Onosander Golong burst out laughing and
oh! how he laughed! He laughed until the tears
down his cheeks. He laughed until he nearly fell
off the barrel He laughed until everybody far and
near who heard him laughed too, and the very
tiers in the poultry shop the way joined in and
crowed with all their might and main: And they
got the turkey. -,